LULAC Welcomes Vice President Joe Biden to the League of United Latin American Citizens 89th Annual National Convention

Washington, D.C. - The League of United Latin American Citizens is honored to host Joseph R. Biden Jr., the 47th Vice President of the United States, who will address Latino leaders from across the country and Puerto Rico at the upcoming 2018 LULAC Annual National Convention to be held in Phoenix, Arizona from July 17th to July 21st. His keynote remarks will underscore LULAC’s national call-to-action to all Latinos for a renewed commitment to civil rights, social justice, and civic participation.

Vice President Biden’s appearance is scheduled to take place during one of the convention’s premier events, the Presidential Awards Banquet, at the Phoenix Convention Center on Friday, July 20, 2018. The theme of the convention, “Together We Rise: Igniting Activism to Transform Communities” reflects the importance of Latino voters in determining the election for the midterms and for the President in 2020.
“For nearly 90 years, LULAC has been on the frontlines of a battle for the soul of this nation—and though the challenges may look different today, what’s at stake hasn’t changed: the right of every person to be treated with respect and dignity,” Biden stated. “I am honored to be part of this event that will bring together communities from all across our nation. Now more than ever, we need the leadership and the example of LULAC members to help us overcome the challenges we face.”

Vice President Biden represented Delaware in the U.S. Senate from 1972 until 2009, when he became Vice-President of the United States with President Barack Obama. During his time as Vice President, he led interagency efforts, and worked with Congress in his fight to raise the living standards of middle class Americans, reduce gun violence, and address violence against women. Following two terms of the Obama-Biden Administration, he has continued the work that has animated his career, including the founding of the Biden Institute at the University of Delaware, which seeks to influence, shape, and work to solve the most pressing domestic policy problems facing America today.

“Through his long and distinguished career of public service, Vice President Biden reminds all Americans how each of us can make a difference in our lifetimes,” said Sindy Benavides, Acting CEO and Chief Operating Officer. “We are inspired by how following six successful terms in the U.S. Senate and two terms working alongside our nation’s Commander-in-Chief, he is now devoting the rest of his life to championing the quest for knowledge in very critical areas for future generations,” adds Benavides.

LULAC, a nonpartisan civil rights organization, is preparing for a nationwide voter registration drive aimed at significantly increasing the Hispanic vote in the midterms and 2020 election. According to Pew Research Center, Latinos represented 11 percent of the American electorate in the 2016 presidential election and millennials comprised 44 percent of eligible Latino voters. By 2020, 2.5 million Latino youth will turn 18, the largest boom in the Latino population and primary reason for the growth of the Latino vote.

“Between now and then, the focus of LULAC is making our community more aware of the importance of civic engagement to have a say on policies in education, immigration and health care reform,” says Benavides. “The need for all Latinos and community members to unite and organize at a time when the core value of family unity is being threaten will determine if we move our political agenda forward or if we take a big leap back. It is vital that we increase Latino representation in the highest levels of government and corporate governance. We are delighted that Vice President Biden is joining us as we fight to champion core values of equality, justice, and freedom for all” she stated.

To see a full list of events and workshops at the 2018 LULAC Convention and Exposition to be held July 17–21 in Phoenix, AZ and to purchase tickets to the banquet, please visit: www.lulac.org/convention.

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The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with over 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit www.LULAC.org